I noticed that Natalie Coughlin kicks underwater dolphin kick on her side for the 100m fly SCM recently. I have always felt it was easier to kick on your side or kick on your back. Why it is easier than face down, I don't know. Perhaps it is physics...... perhaps it's just my own inability. I didn't know it was legal to kick all the way on your side on fly.
This sport has changed too much. There's too much "cheatin" going on now. I can't handle it..... :-)
John Smith
the oxygen debt is a mental thing with me. I've taken 7 breaths on a 50 before... in a race! ridiculous, huh? anyways, if I have the mental discipline to not take those breaths in practice, it should carry over to a race where I don't want to breathe for at least 2 full stroke cycles off the wall to maintain momentum.
I agree, one day I might want to use the SDK in a sprint. that's why I will test it out at some in-season meets this winter. we'll see if I actually decide to use it at my shave and taper meet. the last time I tried to sdk in a 50 free, I was the LAST person after the start (and I have a decent start). I do disagree with you that everyone can learn to SDK as effectively as Phelps or Crocker. These guys are world-class... both extremely strong and flexible and have excellent feel for the water. my legs and feet simply don't go the right way to effectively move water with a dolphin kick but I'm going to keep practicing and hopefully improve it to an asset not a liability. I've got a great natural whip kick, though... :)
re: the core strength, you're right! however, I've found that doing sdks off each turn helps my fly, not the other way around. if you do 2-3 sdks off every turn, you can get in an awful lot of dolphin kicking without realizing it. my fly is much better as a result.
the oxygen debt is a mental thing with me. I've taken 7 breaths on a 50 before... in a race! ridiculous, huh? anyways, if I have the mental discipline to not take those breaths in practice, it should carry over to a race where I don't want to breathe for at least 2 full stroke cycles off the wall to maintain momentum.
I agree, one day I might want to use the SDK in a sprint. that's why I will test it out at some in-season meets this winter. we'll see if I actually decide to use it at my shave and taper meet. the last time I tried to sdk in a 50 free, I was the LAST person after the start (and I have a decent start). I do disagree with you that everyone can learn to SDK as effectively as Phelps or Crocker. These guys are world-class... both extremely strong and flexible and have excellent feel for the water. my legs and feet simply don't go the right way to effectively move water with a dolphin kick but I'm going to keep practicing and hopefully improve it to an asset not a liability. I've got a great natural whip kick, though... :)
re: the core strength, you're right! however, I've found that doing sdks off each turn helps my fly, not the other way around. if you do 2-3 sdks off every turn, you can get in an awful lot of dolphin kicking without realizing it. my fly is much better as a result.
